Santa Claus Parades in Montreal
When and Where to See Santa
Family Christmas Activities in Montreal
Christmas Shows and Theatre for Families
I Spy Montreal Gift Guide

Santa Claus Parades in Montreal
Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.: Parade de Noël Anjou, an evening Christmas parade featuring Santa, his elves and reindeer. Parade starts at Centre Communautaire Chénier, 8330 Chénier Ave., Anjou.

Nov. 21 at 11 a.m.: Santa Claus Parade, featuring more than a dozen floats, dancing and music, starts and Fort St. and ends at St. Urbain St. There will be related activities (face-painting, animation, gifts) at Eaton Centre, Place Montreal Trust and Complexe Les Ailes.

Nov. 28 at 11 a.m.: Santa Claus Parade at Plaza St. Hubert, featuring antique fire trucks, Santa and his elves, with related entertainment. Parade starts at Bellechasse and St. Hubert and ends at Jean Talon Blvd.

Dec. 5 at 11 a.m.: Christmas parade on Wellington St. in Verdun., starting at Wellington and LaSalle Blvd., and ending at Desmarchais at 3:30 p.m. Parade will involve 300 people in costumes, themed floats, free hot drinks and samples for spectators. For more information, go to Promenade Wellington.

Dec. 6, 1 to 4 p.m.: Hudson Santa Claus Parade, Main Rd., Hudson.

Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.: Christmas Parade organized by Promenades Ontario, which starts at Olympic Stadium. Parade involves floats, Christmas characters and performers. For more information, go to La Promenade Ontario.

Where and When to See Santa
Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.: Parade de Noël Anjou, an evening Christmas parade featuring Santa, his elves and reindeer. Parade starts at Centre Communautaire Chénier, 8330 Chénier Ave., Anjou.

Nov. 14 at Les Jardins Dorval shopping centre. Show called Les aventures de Drouille et Zip-E from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by an indoor parade to Santa’s kingdom. At noon, kids can visit Santa and receive a free gift. Face-painting, animation and free train rides.

Nov. 21 at 11 a.m.: Santa Claus Parade, featuring more than a dozen floats, dancing and music, starts and Fort St. and ends at St. Urbain St. There will be related activities (face-painting, animation, gifts) at Eaton Centre, Place Montreal Trust and Complexe Les Ailes.

Nov. 21 to Dec. 24: Christmas Village at Complexe Desjardins. The village has lots of free activities, including a giant slide, play area for toddlers, shows and Santa Claus. Open Wednesdays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 514-845-INFO or go to www.complexedesjardins.com

Nov. 22 at 10:30 p.m.: Santa arrives at Angrignon Mall, with activities and animation for kids. For more information, go to Angrignon Mall website.

Nov. 22, 1 to 5 p.m.: Santa, Mrs. Claus, their elves and street performers will be at Quartier Dix30 shopping centre in Brossard. Santa will be giving out gifts, and jugglers, clowns, acrobats, fire eaters will perform during the day. Santa and Mrs. Claus will continue to visit Dix30 on weekends from Nov. 28 to Dec. 20.

Nov. 28 at 11 a.m.: Santa Claus Parade at Plaza St. Hubert, featuring antique fire trucks, Santa and his elves, with related entertainment. Parade starts at Bellechasse and St. Hubert and ends at Jean Talon Blvd.

Nov. 28 at 9:30 a.m.: Breakfast with Santa at Town of Mount Royal Town Hall, 90 Roosevelt Ave. Call 514-734-2928.

Nov. 28 to Dec. 20: Pain d’épice, a 25-minute puppet show based on a traditional English story for age 2 and up at Studio Théâtre de L’Illusion, 783 de Bienville St. Show times include 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Call for hours and prices: 514-523-1303. See show description on Illusion Theatre Website.

Dec. 5 at 11 a.m.: Christmas parade on Wellington St. in Verdun., starting at Wellington and LaSalle Blvd., and ending at Desmarchais at 3:30 p.m. Parade will involve 300 people in costumes, themed floats, free hot drinks and samples for spectators. For more information, go to Promenade Wellington.

Dec. 5, 12, and 19 at 8:45 and at 10:15: Breakfast with Santa Claus at Ogilvy department store, Café Romy. For tickets, call 514-842-7711, ext. 275.

Dec. 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20: Breakfast with Santa Claus at Restaurant La Chaumine, 7th floor of The Bay on Ste. Catherine St. Call 514-281-4422 or go to www.hbc.com.

Dec. 6, 1 to 4 p.m.: Hudson Santa Claus Parade, Main Rd., Hudson.

Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.: Christmas Parade organized by Promenades Ontario, which starts at Olympic Stadium. Parade involves floats, Christmas characters and performers. For more information, go to La Promenade Ontario.

Family Christmas Activities in Montreal

Nov. 14: Le Moulin dans la forêt. Ogilvy department store Christmas window display is unveiled, at 1307 Ste. Catherine St. W.

Nov. 21: Children’s Activity Day at the Eaton Centre. Breakfast with Santa starting at 8 a.m., with gifts and surprises.

Nov. 21: Santa at Complexe Les Ailes: Santa visits, face-painting, gifts, activities and suprises at Complexe Les Ailes. 514-288-3759 or go to www.complexelesailes.com

Nov. 21 to Dec. 24: Christmas Village at Complexe Desjardins. The village has lots of free activities, including a giant slide, play area for toddlers, shows and Santa Claus. Open Wednesdays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 514-845-INFO or go to www.complexedesjardins.com

Nov. 21, 28, Dec. 5, 12 and 19 at 12:30 p.m.: Children’s show: Shilvi et la tour de Bébelles at Complexe Desjardins. Call 514-845-INFO or go to www.complexedesjardins.com

Nov. 22 at 12:30 p.m.: Children’s show: Julie sa muse et La magie des cloches (Read show description) at Complexe Desjardins. Other show dates and times: Nov. 29 at 12:30 p.m., Dec. 2 to 4 at 11 a.m., Dec. 9 to 11 at 11 a.m., Dec. 16 to 17 at 11 a.m., Dec. 20 at 12:30 p.m., Dec. 21 to 24 at 11 a.m. Call 514-845-INFO or go to www.complexedesjardins.com

Nov. 27 to 29: Le Noël des Chats, A feline competition featuring over 250 cats and kittens from various breeds, at Place Bonaventure. Call 514-397-2222 or go to www.placebonaventure.com.

Dec. 4 to Jan. 3: Christmas Tree Exhibition at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, featuring more than 35 trees decorated with different themes. Call 514-285-2000 or go to www.mbam.qc.ca.

Dec. 4 to 20: A Christmas Carol, by Geordie Productions, a play based on the Dickens classic for age 7 and up at D.B. Clarke Theatre, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W (corner Mackay St.). Family show times: Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m., Sundays at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Cost: $15 children, $20 adults. Call 514-845-9810 or email: tickets@geordie.ca.

Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13, 19 to 20, 24, 26 to 31: Who is the Real Santa Claus? Special tours of Pointe-à-Callière Museum involve meeting various characters related to Christmas, and learning how they celebrate the holidays in their part of the world. Tours are held from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. and last 45 minutes.

Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m. to noon: Build a gingerbread house at the McCord Museum. Reservations required. Call 514-398-7100, ext. 222 or email reservation@mccord.mcgill.ca.

Dec. 5 to Jan. 3: Château Ramezay offers various holiday activities:Children are invited to hang a Christmas stocking on one of the fireplaces, and return after New Year’s Day to see what’s in the stocking. Outdoor snowshoeing: Families are invited to explore the small outdoor garden using snowshoes (which are provided), then have a hot chocolate. Brioche workshop: On weekends in December, as well as Dec. 28, 29 and 30, Jan. 2 and 3, children age 6 to 12 can participate in making a brioche at 1 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. Check the holiday schedule before going. Call 514-861-3708 or go to Chateau Ramezay’s website. The museum is at 280 Notre Dame St. E., Old Montreal.

Dec. 5: Old Montreal Christmas Extravaganza begins: A month of holiday activities, including the annual outdoor New Year’s Eve party at the Old Part. Check schedule on Old Montreal Christmas Extravaganza website for details.

Dec. 12 and 13: Craft fair at Quinn Farm. Twenty crafters will be selling their wares, you can choose a Christmas tree, go on a horse-drawn buggy ride, drink cider and stock up on baked goods.

Dec. 12 and 13, Dec. 19 to Jan. 5: Village du Père Noël is open for tons of outdoor winter activities, including tubing, slides, a zip-line, an outdoor play area, skating rink, mini train, plus some indoor attractions and a snack bar. It is located around an hour north of Montreal, off Highway 15, exit 76. Call 1-800-287-NOEL.

Dec. 12 at 3 p.m.: Copeaux de neige, a puppet show inspired by the legends of St. Nicholas and Santa Claus, from various continents and eras, for ages 4 to 9 at Maison de la Culture de Côte des Neiges. Call 514-872-6889 for information. Passes available as of Nov. 28.

Dec. 13 at 2:30 p.m.: Children’s Christmas Concert at Ogilvy department store, Tudor Hall, fifth floor, 1307 Ste. Catherine St. W. Tickets: 514-982-6038.

Dec. 15, 16 and 17 at 4 p.m.: Enchanted Winter Shadow-Puppet Workshop. Kids can create their own stories and characters, then perform a puppet show. Sessions last 1 hour and 45 minutes, at Montreal Children’s Library, Atwater branch, 1400 Atwater Ave. To register, call: 514-931-2304.

Dec. 19 from 1 to 5 p.m.: Community Winterfest in the gym at Collège de Montréal, 1931 Sherbrooke St. W. A neighbourhood party with inflatable games, face-painting and other family activities for residents of the Peter-McGill district.

Dec. 19 at 2 p.m.: New Year’s Day around the world, an animated storytelling session for age 7 and up at La Grande Bibliothèque, 475 de Maisonneuve Blvd. E. For information, call 514-873-1100.

Dec. 19 to Feb. 14: Caillou Discovers Winter at the Biodome. Children have the opportunity to meet Caillou, listen to a storytelling session, take a special winter tour of the Biodome and do some winter activities. From Dec. 19 to Jan. 3, storytelling will be held at 1:30 p.m. From Jan 5., storytelling will be held Thursdays at 11 a.m. and weekends at 1:30 p.m. For more information, go to the info page on the Biodome website. Biodome is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but closed on Dec. 21, 24 and 25.

Dec. 19, 20 and 27 at 2 p.m.: Christmas angels workshop for ages 5 and up at Musées des maîtres et artisans du Québec, 615 Ste. Croix Ave., St. Laurent. Cost: $10 per family. Call 514-747-7367, ext. 7204 or go to museum website.

Dec. 20 from noon to 6 p.m.: A day of surprises at Canadian Centre for Architecture, a family event with games and architectural toys. Call 514-939-7000, or go to www.cca.qc.ca

Dec. 20 to 24: Noël dans le Parc, an outdoor Christmas festival at Lahaie Park, corner of St. Laurent Blvd. and St. Joseph in Mile End. Event includes concerts, street performers, Christmas trees for sale, fires for grilling sausages and toasting marshmallows, apple cider and hot chocolate, a winter cabin and sheep shelter. See Noël dans le Parc website for details.

Dec. 21 to Jan. 3: Christmas Fantasy at the Atrium: The indoor skating rink at 1000 de la Gauchetière St. W. is open daily during the holiday period, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Most afternoons, a magician and face-painter will be there. Go to www.le1000.com or call 514-395-0555.

Dec. 27 and Jan. 3 at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.: Triciamania, a workshop for all ages at Montreal’s Contemporary Art Museum, based on the work of artist Tricia Middleton. The activity involves making a sculpture out of recycled materials. Call 514-847-6226 or go to www.macm.org.

Christmas Shows and Theatre for families

Nov. 22 at 12:30 p.m.: Children’s show: Julie sa muse et La magie des cloches (Read show description) at Complexe Desjardins. Other show dates and times: Nov. 29 at 12:30 p.m., Dec. 2 to 4 at 11 a.m., Dec. 9 to 11 at 11 a.m., Dec. 16 to 17 at 11 a.m., Dec. 20 at 12:30 p.m., Dec. 21 to 24 at 11 a.m. Call 514-845-INFO or go to www.complexedesjardins.com

Nov. 28 to Dec. 20: Pain d’épice, a 25-minute puppet show based on a traditional English story for age 2 and up at Studio Théâtre de L’Illusion, 783 de Bienville St. Show times include 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Call for hours and prices: 514-523-1303. See show description on Illusion Theatre Website.

Dec. 2 to Jan. 3: Baobab, a play for ages 3 to 8, about a boy trying to save his African village. Read full description on Maison Théâtre website. Weekend show times are at either 11 a.m. or 3 p.m. For tickets, call: 514 288-7211, ext. 1.

Dec. 4 to 20: A Christmas Carol, by Geordie Productions, a play based on the Dickens classic for age 7 and up at D.B. Clarke Theatre, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W (corner Mackay St.). Family show times: Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m., Sundays at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Cost: $15 children, $20 adults. Call 514-845-9810 or email: tickets@geordie.ca.

Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.: Noëls du Monde: A Christmas concert by the Choeur des enfants de Montreal, featuring traditional holiday songs in German, Hebrew, Spanish, French and English, plus a musical tale, at Oscar Peterson Hall, 7141 Sherbrooke St. W. Cost: $20 per adult, $10 per student/child. Call 450-458-7129.

Dec. 6 at 11 a.m.: A Winter Musical Celebration by performer Jennifer Gasoi, with jazz, folk, Klezmer, Dixieland and Calypso at Jewish Public Library, 5151 Côte Ste. Catherine Rd. For more information and tickets, call 514-345-2627, ext. 3012, 3016, 3398.

Dec. 13 and 20 at 11 a.m.: Le petit Noël de Québec Issime, musical show for ages 3 to 8, featuring old-fashioned family Christmas music, at Théâtre Maisonneuve, Place des Arts. Call 514-842-2112 or go to Place des Arts website to find out more.

Dec. 13 at 11 a.m.: Coussins et croissants, music students of Ecole Pierre-Laporte will perform holiday music for families. Participants will be able to try the instruments. Concert will be held at Centre communautaire intergénérationnel, 999 McEachran Ave., Outremont. Event is free, but passes are required; get them at the Centre communautaire, as of Dec. 1.

Dec. 12 to 30: The Nutcracker Ballet, the classic Christmas ballet is targeted at ages 5 and up, at Place des Arts. Tickets: $20 to $114. Call 514-842-2112 or go to Place des Arts website for more information.

Dec. 13 at 2:30 p.m.: Children’s Christmas Concert at Ogilvy department store, Tudor Hall, fifth floor, 1307 Ste. Catherine St. W. Tickets: 514-982-6038.

Dec. 17 to Jan. 3: Disney Live Playhouse, a show featuring Mickey Mouse and friends, the Little Einsteins and Whinnie the Pooh, at Théâtre St. Denis. Show lasts 75 minutes with a 15-minute intermission; most performances are in French, some are in English. Show times vary depending on the day, but include: 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets: $18.50 to $85. For more information, or to buy tickets go to Gillett Entertainment. Watch a video preview of the show.

Dec. 27, 29 and 30: Holy Cow! (Ah la Vache!), A play for ages 5 to 12 about Henriette Toutamoi, who has lost her teddy bear. Watch video preview here. Show times are either at 11 a.m. or 3 p.m.; both French and English versions will be performed. Cost: $18 per person. Call 514-242-2112 or go to Place des Arts website to find out more.